Counter molding machine



Jan. 2, 1940. c w, BA|LEY v V 2,185,937

COUNTER MOLDING MACHINE Q Filed Feb. 28, 1939 8 Sheets-Sheet 1 200 1 2 j/weizial' Jan. 2, 1940.

c. w. BAILEY 2,185,937

COUNTER MOLDING MACHINE Jan. 2, 1940. c. w. BAILEY COUNTER MOLD ING MACHINE Filed Feb. 28, 1939 8 Sheets-Sheet 3 Jan. 2, 1940. Q w BAHEEYv 2,185,937

COUNTER MOLDING MACHINE Filed Feb. 28, 1959 8 Sheets-Sheet 4 Jan. 2, 1940. cfw. BAILEY COUNTER MOLDING MACHINE Filed Feb. 28, 1939 8 She ets-Sheet 5 Jan; 2, 1940. w, BAILEY 2,185,937

COUNTER MOLDING MACHINE Filed Feb. 28, 1959 8 Sheets-Sheet 6 V Y 274 s I r :u H I I I a 362 I O I 390 370 360 L' .L 37s Jan. 2; 1940.

C. W. BAILEY COUNTER MOLDING MACHINE Filed Feb. 28, 1939 8 Sheets-Sheet 7 Jan. 2, 1940., c. w. BAILEY 2,185,937

COUNTER MOLDING MACHINE Filed Feb. 28, 1939 8 Sheets-Sheet a bl 1 A%rneys Patented Jan. 2, 1946 uNir s'r 2,185,937 COUNTER MOLDING ivmorimn Charles W. Bailey, Lynn, Mass, assignor to Stewart Bros; Inc. of Lynn, Lynn, Mass.,-a corporation of Massachusetts Application February 28, 1939, serial No. 258,963

20 Claims.

-1 less skill on the part of the operator than machines heretofore known.

In operating counter molding machines, it is the practice to close the cooperating molds upon 1 the curved counter blank, first in a preliminary manner and then under a final heavy molding pressure, the ordinary cycle of such'a machine mechanical feeder requires a skilled operator in order to produce uniformity'and speed of production. This is so because the counter blanks must be accurately positioned on the central mold H and because the operator cannot let go of a blank before the molds are engaged as otherwise the blank is likely to become misplaced and improperly molded.

One object of the invention is to eliminate danger to the machine operator by rendering it unnecessary for him to approach the molds with his hands at any time while the machine is op erating. This object is accomplished by providing an automatic feeder which moves in and out of the machine, the counter blank being placed in it by the operator while the feeder is in a position remote from the molds and being accurately inserted in the molds by the movement of the feeder.

Another object of the invention is to render automatic a counter molding machine of the type disclosed in my U. S. Patent No. 2,085,731 wherein the molding pressure is obtained by two independent trains of mechanism, one of which is hydraulic, operating through a bell crank lever which elevates the central -mold or plug of the molding machine.

A further object of the invention is to provide a molding machine which may be operated automatically by means of cam actuated mechanism or which may betreadle controlled according to (or. re -es) the requirements of the work in hand. The-machine may be operated automatically when steady production is desired and treadle controlled at other times or during the setting up process preliminary to a regular production run.

An important feature of the invention resides in independently operated means for moving the feeder in andout of the machine and for tilting it from loading position tofeeding position, a feature which results in a quiet, easy-running, convenient mechanism.

Another feature of the invention resides in the combination of hydraulic and mechanical trains of -mold-actuating mechanismjboth controlled by a single cam, thus maintainingthe two trains absolutely in proper timed relationship and resulting in uniform and accurate operation of the machine.

A further feature of the invention; resides in the provision of a locking pin which,'in one p0 sition, completes the train of mechanism between an automatic control device and the'molds and,

- in another position, positively locks the starting handle for the automatic control device in inoperative position; This is an important double safety feature which positively prevents automatic actuation of the 'molds when the machine is under treadle control. The operator is thus relieved of the danger of losing his fingers as the result of. inadvertently permitting themachine to turn over while he is adjusting the set-' ting of the molds; Furthermore the automatic control can be connected only at one point in the cycle of the machine (by re-insertingthe locking pin) thus ensuring maintenance of the prop..

erly timed sequence of the various movements of the machine.v I

' These and other objects and features ofmy invention will be more readily understood and ap preciated from the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment thereof selected for purposes of illustration and shown in the accom-. panying drawings, in which Fig. 1 is a view in side elevation from the right of a machine constructed according to the invention,

Fig. 2 in view in rear-elevation,

Fig. 3 is a view in side elevation taken the left of the machine, I

Fig. 4 is a view in elevation along the line 5-4 ofFig.3,

Fig. 5 is a View in elevation along the line 5 5 of Fig. 2, 1

Fig. 6 is a view in front elevation of the upper part of the machine, I

from

Fig. 7 is a view in cross section along the lines 1'! of Fig. 6,

Fig. 8 is a View in side elevation of the feeding mechanism,

Fig. 9 is a view partly in side elevation and partly in section of the feed mechanism, showing its relation to the molds,

Fig. 10 is a view in side elevation of the feed mechanism as it appears after the cycle of the machine has begun,

Fig. 11 is a plan view of the'feed plate,

Fig. 12 is a view in cross section along the line |2-l2 of Fig. 6,

Fig. 13 is a view in elevation along the line |3l3 of Fig. 12,

Fig. 14 is a detailed view of the dofier hook,

Fig. 15 is a fragmentary view in front elevation showing the machine adapted for the molding of stitchdown counters,

Fig. 16 is a view along the line |6l6 of Fig. 15, and

Figs. 17 and 18 are views showing details of the doifing clamp for stitchdown counters.

Before proceeding to a detailed description of the machine it will be convenient first to out line its general construction, manner of operation, and principal movements. The operator of the machine bends a counter blank 3% into a curve and inserts it in a spring clip disposed on the upper surface of a horizontal feeder plate 314, as shown in Fig. 8. The machine then operates to advance the feeder plate into the machine and also to tilt it into vertical position as shown in Fig. 9. When this has been accomplished, the curved counter blank has been placed over a central mold or plug 2!] upon which the molding operation is carried out. A pair of concave side molds 28 is mounted in the upper part of the frame for a limited vertical movement, and the individual molds 28 are arranged to swing toward each other from open position to engage and mold the counter blank on the plug 20. The plug 20 is carried by a vertically movable bed piece 34 mounted on the short arm of a' bell crank lever 60. By means fully described below the lever 66 is moved through two'distinct steps to raise the plug 20 into engagement with the side molds 28. moved upwardly during the first upward movement of the plug 20 after which it is retracted and moved outwardly in position to receive another counter. At this time the plug 2li'has been moved upwardly so that it is engaged by the concave molds 28 and preliminary pressure is exerted on the counter 390. As the lever 60 is rocked further, the side molds 28 are caused to impart final molding pressure to the counter, this second rocking step being carried out twice during each cycle of the machine. Simultaneously with the final rocking steps a wiper plate 242 is twice reciprocated vertically to form a flange at the base of the counter. Subsequently the molding pressure is entirely released, the plug 20 is rocked outwardly as shown in dotted lines onFig. 12, and a doffer hook 295 is passed across the face of the plug 20 and removes the completely molded counter, tossing it to one side.

Passing now to the construction of the machine herein illustrated, it will be found to have an upright frame 22 including spaced side members joined by a heavy base plate. A cross girt 24 is secured to the upper portion of the frame by heavy bolts and tied to the base plate by a pair of tie rods 26, a construction which gives the frame assembly adequate strength for the severe The feeder plate 314 is also.

duty demanded of it. The frame is provided with bearings for a driving shaft 90, a driven shaft I14, and for a transverse shaft or journal 62 from which the main pressure lever 50 is suspended, all as will presently be described. The molds 28 are pivoted together and suspended in the machine frame between a pair of inclined toggle links 30. The links have cylindrical ends which fit into corresponding sockets formed in the cross girt 24 and in the molds 28 respectively. Each of the links 3!! is engaged by the upper end of an oblique adjusting screw 32 by which the molds 28 may be centered and properly adjusted with reference to the plug 20. When the bed piece 34 is elevated early in the cycle of the machine, the plug 20 carries the molds 28 bodily upwardly and they are also swung inwardly by the action of the toggle links 30, thus bringing about the preliminary engagement of the counter blank as already described.

At the upper face of the bed piece 34 is bolted a pair of brackets each of which carries an oblique plunger 82 backed by a heavy compression spring 84 and an adjusting screw 83. Each plunger carries at its upper end a contact piece which, when the bed piece is elevated, is arranged to engage an inclined face in the lower end of one of the molds 28. In the stopped position of the machine the contact pieces 86 are spaced from the corresponding faces of the molds 28 and. do not affect the preliminary closing action thereof. It is only after the bed piece 34 has been lifted sufiiciently to take up this lost motionthat the final molding pressure is imparted to the molds through the combined action of the toggle links 30 and the plungers 82.

The plug 20 is pivotally secured at its outer end to a flat plate 36 (see 12) which is carried in ways on the top of a cylindrical threaded base 38 carried by the bed piece 34 and rendered vertically adjustable by means of a nut 39. A stop 40 limits the forward rocking of the plug 20. At the rear of the flat plate 36 is a slotted springstandard 42 which carries an L-shaped piece 44 having slots which permit it to slide on stops 48 adjustably screwed in the slot in the standard 42. A spring 46 connects the short arm of the member 44 with a pin on the standard 42 and urges the L-shaped member downwardly into contact with a pin 50 which extends inwardly from the rear of the plug 20.

Suspended from the shaft 62 is a bell crank' lever 6!) which is pivotally connected to the bed piece 34, which has the shape of an inverted U, by a cross pin 64. Pivotally secured at the lower end of the bed piece 34 is a pair of links 65 which are equal in length to the distance from the pin 64 to the shaft 62 and which rotate about studs 68 secured to the frame 22. It will now be seen that if the lever 50 is rocked about its shaft 62, the bed piece 34 will be forced upwardly, inasmuch as it forms part of a parallel linkage assembly. At the rear of the lever 6f! (see Fig. 3) is a track on which slides a carriage Hi the movement of which is limited by upper and lower air cushion bumpers l2 adjustably secured to. the lever 60. The carriage 1!) is provided with a cross pin 14 which provides a pivotal connection between the carriage and a link 16. Two separate trains of mechanism have a common point of application to the cross pin 14 and act cooperatively to impart separate movements to the carriage i and thereby to the pressure lever 60.

The first of these trains is mechanically actuated and includes the link 16 which is provided with projecting ears at its forward end to receive the cross pin l4. At its rear end the link it ohcircles an eccentric 228 formed on the driven shaft H4 already mentioned as journaled in bearings provided in the side members .of the machine frame 22. The link includes in its construction a heavy compression spring 18 and is arranged to yield longitudinally to a slight degree under any abnormal pressure. It will now be expedient to describe the mechanism for driving the shaft and actuating the eccentric 228.

The driving shaft 96 is provided with a pulley 92 running freely on the shaft 913 as a journal. A conventional clutch 9 1, arranged to engage the pulley 92, is actuated by a link 96 which is fast to a rock shaft at extending to the front of the machine and provided with a handle lllfl so that the clutch 9 may be manually controlled by the.

operator of the machine. A sprocket M32 is keyed on the shaft 90 and through a chain HM drives a sprocket liliidisposed on the shaft of an oil pump H28 located at the rear of the machine and mounted on an oil reservoir ilt. Bolted to the frame of the machine is a bearing bracket H6 in which is journaled a stub shaft H4 which carries a-sprccket H2. The chain I94 also drives the sprocket H2 from the sprocket Hi2.

Keyed to the stub shaft Ht is a pinion H8 which meshes with a gear i2 5, keyed on another stub shaft I28 also journaled in the bearing bracket H6. Keyed on the stub shaft R is a pinion l22 which is in mesh with a large gear E28 keyed by means of conventional clutch l3?! to a cam shaft l28 also journaled in the bearing bracket H6 and running across the entire rear end of the machine. The clutch 538 is operated by a link lSl carried by a rocking stud I33 secured to the bracket H6 and fast on the end of a control rod i532 upon which is a compression spring 53 which tends to move the rod I32 in and disengage the clutch 536, and a handle. E38. The control rod it? passes through a bracket l36 which is bolted to the side of the frame 22 and provided with a socket hit for a pin M2.

Fast on the cam shaft m8 is a cam ME. A cam follower t lt is disposed in the track on the cam i i-5 and is carried on the end of a rocker arm 559 which is pivotally mounted on a stud 52 on the frame of the machine. The outer end of the rocker arm L5G is pivotally connected to a vertical rod'lii l which passes through a bearing bracket Q53. A compression spring N53 is disposed around the rod 855 above the bracket i538 and serves to balance the weight of the rod l5fl and aid the cam M5. Adjacent its lower end the rod i5 3 is fast to a collar forming part of an angular member 383. The lower end of the rod i158 is pivotally connected to a link 162 which is fast to a rock shaft 56 At the rear end of the rock shaft 56 is a link 5% which is lifted when the rod is depressed by the action of the rocker arm and the cam. M5. A vertical 'rod 158 is secured to the link H36 at its upper end and at its lower end to a link H6 pivotally mounted on a bearing bracket ass and fast to a segmental member H8 normally disposed in the path of a finger lc'la'i which operates a conventional clutch 582 on the riven shaft lid. When the rod $63 is lifted, the segment i is is moved out of the path of the finger 83, the clutch 323 is, engaged and the driven shaft H 5 is caused to rotate by means of a large gear 38% controlled by the clutch I82 and meshing with a pinion E85 on the driving shaft $122. It is the rotation of the shaft Hill which operates the eccentric 223 as heretofore explained. A rod 119 is suitably connected to the rock shaft 664 and its lower end is connected to a link 20 controlling a brake band I88 disposed around'the shaft I'M and tensioned by a spring N34. The link I98 is also secured to avertical rod I 963 connected to a compression spring I98 carried by a bar 298 which is bolted to the bearing bracket N2. It will be apparent that when the rod E58 is lifted to engage the clutch M2, the rod H0 is simultaneously lifted to release the brake I88, the timing being arranged so that the brake releases just before the clutch engages. The angular member I6!) is connected to a rod 2&8 which. controls a valve 206, and the cam M6 is so arranged that as the cycle of the machine begins a preliminary dwell is encountered by the cam follower which is sufficient to open the valve 2% by reason of the fact that the rod I54 is depressed. However, while the cam is on the preliminary dwell, the rod IE4 is not sufiiciently depressed to relieve the brake I88 and engage the clutch Hi2.

Before understanding how the cam M6 is timed in relation to the other movements of the machine, it will be necessary to describe briefly the second train of mechanism, which is hydraulic and which is fully described in my prior U. S. Patent No. 2,085,731 granted July 6, 1937. Reference to the said patent may be had for information concerning details of the hydraulic system. The oil pump was draws oil from the reservoir ill] and discharges it through a pipe 264 leading to a control valve 2% regulated by the cam I 46 through the rods I54 and 288. When the rod I54 is depressed, the rod 208 is lowered opening the valve 2% and allowing oil under pressure to reach a piston enclosed in a cylinder em. The piston actuates a piston rod 2l2 which is adjustably connected at its lower end to a head 2M which 2H3 which projects into slots in the sides of the head. The head 254 is provided with a transverse slot through which projects a cross pin 2l8 whichextends between the arms of a yoke 220 journalled to swing upon a fulcrum shaft 224 secured in the side members of the main machine frame 22. The yoke 22B is pivotally connected at its outer end to a vertical link 226 which is forked at its lower end for connection with the carriage Hi through the cross pin M, as shown in Fig. 3. The downward swinging movement of the yoke 22% under the actuation of hydraulic pressure from the cylindertlll is eifective to move the carriage 'lfi downwardly from its elevated position against the upper stop 12 to its lower positime against the other stop 12 and in this movement the lever 66 is locked forwardly sufficient to bring the molds 28 into position of preliminary engagement with the counter blank.

On the end of the driven shaft HM is a counterweight 2383 and a crank 232 secured to which is an inclined crank rod 2% having an extension 233 which may be adjusted by regulating the nuts 235. At its upper end the crank rod termimates in a head pivotally secured to a rocker arm 236 which is integral with a sleeve 23'] carried on a rock shaft 239 journalled in bearings 238 on the top of the frame 22. A forwardly extending arm 2M is also integral with the sleeve 23'l and pivotally connected to a head 243. A vertical rod 248 is threaded into the head 243 at its upper end and carries at its lower end a wiper plate 2M which reciprocates vertically in ways 244 bolted to the cross girt 24. The wiper plate 242 forms a flange at the base of a counter on the plug 20.

Referring to Fig. 1, it should be explained that, when so desired, the machine may be operated under treadle control instead of automatically operated by the cam I46. A treadle 450, pivotally mounted on a stud 452 on the frame 22 of the machine, is normally elevated by a spring 454 secured at its upper end to the rock shaft I64. The treadle 450 is also connected to the rock shaft I64 by means of a vertical rod 456 and a link 45'! so that when the treadle 450 is depressed, the rock shaft 164 will be turned counter-clockwise. It should now be explained that the rod I54, which is actuated by the cam I46 to rock the shaft I64, is connected to the rocker arm I50 by the pin I42. That is to say, when the pin I42 connects the rod 245 to the arm I58, the treadle cannot be operated inasmuch as the shaft I64 cannot be moved except by the cam I46 and the rocker arm I50. The pin I42, as heretofore mentioned, is also adapted to fit into the socket I40 to lock the rod I32 in inoperative position; i. e. when the clutch I 36 is out of engagement and the handle I38 is pushed in. It will also be seen that when the pin I42 is removed from the connection between the rod I54 and the arm I50, the connection between the cam I46 and the trains of mechanism is broken, and these mechanisms can only be operated by depressing the treadle 450. Inasmuch as the pin I42 is always placed in the socket I40 when the treadle is to be used, there is no danger that the machine will turn over inadvertently and the operation of changing the molds is thus not charged with danger to the safety of the operator, especially since the spring I34 holds the clutch rod I32 in disengaged position. The treadle 450 is used when the molds are being changed or adjusted, inasmuch as the operator may depress the treadle 450 sufficiently to actuate the hydraulic mechanism and impart preliminary molding movement to the molds and then release the treadle and the molds without necessarily causing the machine to go through its full cycle and possibly damage the molds, in the event they are not properly adjusted. This is a great advantage over known automatic machines, wherein the operator can only tell whether he has properly adjusted the molds by causing the machine to go through a full cycle, and it will thus be seen that the pin I42 is a double safety feature.

The principal movements of the machine have now been described, and before discussing the automatic feeding and dofling mechanisms it will be convenient to summarize what has already been described. When the operator engages the main clutch 94 by throwing the handle I00, the shaft 00 rotates, and the oil pump I08 and the gear I26 are driven from the sprocket I02. The cam shaft clutch I30 is then engaged by (assuming that the pin M2 now connects the rod I54 to the arm I 50) throwing the handle I38, whereupon the cam I46 turns and actuates the rod I54 first to open the valve 286 to permit the hydraulic train to depress the carriage I0 and secondly to engage the clutch I82 and release the brake I88 to permit two revolutions of the shaft I'I4 thus twice causing the eccentric 288 to rock the link 16 and the lever .68 outwardly and actuating the crank rod 234 to reciprocate the wiper plate 242.

The machine also operates to feed counter blanks automatically and to remove molded counters from the plug 20. The means for accomplishing these ends are driven from the cam shaft I28. Fast on the shaft I28 adjacent the frame 22 is a cam 250, as shown in Figs. 2, 3 and 5, which is provided with a cam follower carried by an arm 252 pivotally mounted on the frame 22 by a stud 254. The arm 252 is fast to a vertical link 256 which is connected at its end to a collar 25'! which slides on a rod 258 against the action of a compression spring 260. When the cam 250 turns, the rod 258 is moved forward under yielding pressure, the outer end of the spring 260 abutting a nut which regulates the length of the rod 258. The outer end of the rod is pivotally connected to a link 262 which is fast on a shaft 264 journalled in the frame 22 and carrying another link 266 on its inner end. A pin 268 passes horizontally through the upper end of the link 266 and runs behind the plug 211, as shown in Fig. 4. The cam 258 thus acts through the rod 258 and the pin 268 to rock the plug 28 outwardly, near the end of each cycle of the machine. The plug 20 is restored to its normal position by the spring 46, as previously explained (see Fig. 12)

Adjacent the cam 250 and on the cam shaft I28 is a second cam 212 having a cam follower on the end of a rocker arm 214 pivotally mounted on the frame 22. The forward end of the arm 214 is pivotally connected to an inclined link 218 having a collar 280 secured to its upper end. The collar 280 is adjacent a shaft 282 carrying a bevel gear 284 at its inner end and journaled in a bracket 280 bolted to the frame 22. Integral with. the collar 280 is a gear segment 286 which meshes with the bevel gear 284, the collar 280 being pivotally mounted on a stud in the bracket 288. It will now be seen that the turning of the cam 2l2 moves the rod 218 upwardly and swings the segment 286 up and down, thus causing the shaft 282 to turn. At the outer end of the shaft 282 is a weight 200 and a socket 292 in which is secured a rod 294 carrying a picker 296 at its outer end. At the proper time during the cycle of the machine the turning of the cam 214 causes the rod 294 to swing over and back across the face of the machine so that, on its return stroke, the picker 296 rubs across the outer surface of the mold 20 which has then been rocked outwardly by the pin 268, as previously explained. The flange of the molded counter is engaged by the picker 208, and the counter is removed from the plug 20 and tossed to one side.

The track on the cam 214 is arranged so that the doffer 294 remains in its outermost position until the wiper plate 242 has made its two strokes and then swings over the face of the plug 20. If the molded counter has slipped forwardly, the picker 208 pushes it back, thus ensuring engagement every time while the molded counter occupies a definite position in the machine. This contributes, of course, to accurate operation of the machine and ensures picking up the counter each time without danger of missing.

At the outer end of the cam shaft I28 is a cam 300 which has a cam track cut in both faces. A bracket 302 bolted to the top of the frame 22 provides bearings for a stub shaft 304 which overhangs the cam 380. Pivotally mounted on the stub shaft 304 is a pair of arms 306 and 388 having cam followers secured intermediate their ends and arranged to ride in the tracks on the cam 300. Long connecting rods 3I0 and 3I2 are pivotally connected to the lower ends of the arms 306 and 308 and extend to the front of catch.

the machine. The detail shown in Fig. 7 applies to both rods 3! and 3!? and shows that the rod 3H] has a sleeve 314 over its outer end and a casing 31% over the sleeve. In the casing is a bolt 32 backed up by a spring 322 and extending into a notch in the sleeve 3M and forms a safety The cam 3% acts to reciprocate the rods 3!!! and 312 and it will be apparent that if there is an. obstacle in the way of the forward stroke, the bolt 32% will be depressed under any unusual pressure and the sleeves 3M and 3E6 will slide through their casings without actuating any of v the mechanism now to be described and which is connected to the casings. feature and prevents damage to the machine in the event a counter becomes jammed in the feeder.

Secured to the front of the frame 22 is an auxiliary frame 326 in which is journalled a hollow shaft 323 and an inner shaft 33! Pivotally connected to the casing 320 about the shaft M2 is a link 332 having its lower end fast to the inner shaft 336. On the other end of the inner shaft 335 is a link 3353. Similarly a link 33 3 connects the casing 318 to the hollow shaft 328 and to another link 5335.

Supported in the frame 328 is a vertical rod 348 which has a spring 359 about its lower section and connects at its lower end to a link 358 (Fig. '8) fast to a rock shaft 354 journalled in the frame 326. The shaft 35 is connected to the bed piece .34 by links 355., and it will be apparent that when. the bed piece is lifted the rock shaft 354 will turn and thus lift the rod 358. On the frame 325 is a standard 3% through which pass guide rods 34? as well as the rod 348. A slotted table 3 54 is supported on the standard 346 by the guide rods 3 8! on which it slides up and down. A fiat plate 349 is secured to the end of the rod 3&8 and acts as a piston to move the table 3 14 up and down. The table 344 is provided with dovetail grooves on which slide a slotted table 3% which has a rack 362 at one side and a yoke 363 extending downwardly through the slot in the table Me, A third table Slil slides in grooves in the table 365 and is provided with a downwardly extending yoke 3H and brackets 3% for a horizontal shaft 366 which carries a segmental gear 3% in mesh with the rack 362.

The yoke 353 is connected to the upper end of the link 3353 by means of a short pivoted link 3412, and the yoke Eli is connected to the link 338 by another short link 34! It will be apparent that the link 335 moves both the tables 360 and 319 on the stationary table 344 and that the link 3-38 moves only the table til-ll so that the action of the gear 568 and the rack .362 is to rock the shaft 366. I.

The shaft 385 carries two bent arms 312 which together form a cup for a base member 3 13, and carry adjusting screws 33? which adjust the angle at which the base 373 is held in a vertical plane, the latter being journalled on a pivot pin 315 passing horizontally therethrough. An adjusting bolt 319 also permits the base to be maintained at any desired angle in a horizontal plane.

Integral with the base 313 is a fiat feed plate 3% (see Fig. 11) which has a spring clip on its upper surface, comprising a pair of opposed rocker arms 376 pivotally secured to the plate by bolts 3'31 adjustable in slots'in the bclted to the arms 315 is apair of short arms 35'8 connected by a spring-38B passing beneath the plate 3H and urging therocker arms Sit together. Adjustable stops 882 are also secured to This is a safety the plate 314 and carry opposed leaf springs 388. Pivotally secured to a pair of sliding plates 386 which may be moved in and out of the plate il -M and .set at any desired position is a pair of rockers 38 1 As shown in Fig. 11, a counter 390 is slipped between the rockers 384 and'the arm's are pressed forwardly until its ends are held in placeagainst the stops 382 by the springs 388. inner edges of the arms 3T6 guide the ends cf the counter 50 that the operator merely has to bend the counter 39% and push it in on the p ate did. This is done while the plate is hori- "tal as shown in Fig. 8. The cam 300 then uses the link 3% and 338 to move forwardly fitaneously but atdiiferent speeds so that the plate Sl t is tilted forward as shown in Figs. 9

e plate reachesthe position shown'in Fig. 9 the timing of the machine is such that preliminary molding pressure is exerted, the bed piecev 34 rises as the molds engage, and the plate 374 is also elevated by the rod 358. After the molds have firmly engaged the counter 39!], the cam iiiili causes the links 335 and 338 to rock outwardly, thus retracting the plate 31 and tilting it back to its initial horizontal position. .It will be apparent that the spring clip on the plate 314 be adjusted to accommodate counters of diiferent sizes and materials. w

The foregoing description is applicable to a complete machine. for molding ordinary counters. However, counters for stitchdown shoes are made with oute'turned flanges instead of the inturned flanges found in ordinary counters, and it is therefore necessary to change some of the parts I of the machine to accommodate stitchd'own counters. The movements of the machine remain unaffected, but it necessaryjto provide adifferent wiper plate which will wipe the flange outwardly on .its upwardstroke and do nothing as it is moved down. It is also necessary to sube stitute .a different .dofler hook in place of the one previously described. shown in Figs. 15-18.

The wiper plate 13% is'secured by a cross pin 42 4 to the rod 240 previously described as actuatedby the crank arm 234. Pivoted on a pin 418 secured to the facejof the wiper plate is arr arm ill; which encircles a bolt 325 at its upper end and works against a rubber bumper 428. At .its lower end the arm ME carries a pin 422 on which is pivoted a bar 426; The rear of the plate 3% is recessed at M4, and theybar 420 rides in and out of the recess. Whenthe plate is moved down the bar i2ll rides out anddoes nothing, but on the return stroke the upper'edge of the bar vengages'the protruding baseof the id 19 andalso moved bodily forward. When.

These changes are I iii counter and wipes it outwardly to form a flange.

The picker 2% .is replaced by a'casing 396 screwed on the end of therod Q'Mand containing a spring 398 and a pointed bolt 4%. A trigger M2 fits in aholein the casing and 1 is notched to fit the endof the bolt 490.

curved finger 498 carrying a. spring 4 it and working .in aslot in the trigger M32. The spring M0 urges the finger into the closed position shown in Fig. 1'7, whereone end of the finger is shown grasping the flange of a stitchdown counter 430. The open position is shown in Fig. 18. Secured on I Thecasing has an arm 5% in which is pivotally mounted a.

to the topcf the frame 122' is a stationary arm outwardly. That part of the trigger 402 designated as 402 strikes the surface of the plug 20, forcing its way past the bolt M6, whereupon the spring MU causes the finger 468 to grasp the counter flange. When the rod 294 swings back to its initial position, the finger 408 strikes the stop 412 which causes the trigger 302 to slide in, the finger releases its grasp on the counter, and the trigger is cocked, the bolt Mill holding the trigger 482 in proper position.

It should be noted that the molds are relaxed between the two final molding strokes because the eccentric turns over. Inasmuch as the hydraulic pressure is continuously maintained throughout the cycle of the machine, any compression of the counter will be followed up when the molds are relaxed and the link 76 pushed further down. In other words the hydraulic pressure tends always to push down the long coninaction, thus following up the counter and causing the second turn of the eccentric to bring the molds closer together.

The mechanism of my invention is useful and advantageous because it not only eliminates the necessity of employing a skilled operator but because by its use the molding machine will produce more counters per minute under commercial conditions, than machines heretofore used.

Having thus described my invention what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. A counter molding machine which comprises a plug, side molds, a feeder, clutch controlled mechanism for actuating said plug, molds and feeder automatically, a treadle for controlling semi-automatic operation of said plug, molds, and feeder, and means for selectively and positively locking either said treadle or the clutch and preventing actuation thereof, whereby engagement of said clutch is prevented when said treadle is free to operate and vice versa.

2. A counter molding machine comprising a plug, side molds, a bell crank lever adjustably connected to said plug, a hydraulically actuated train of mechanism for rocking said lever to bring said plug into preliminary engagement with said side molds, a mechanically actuated train of mechanism for further rocking said lever to impart final molding pressure to said'plug and molds, and cam controlled means for automatically operating the hydraulictrain and subsequently twice operating said mechanical train before the hydraulic pressure is released.

3. In an automatic counter molding machine including a plug, side molds, and a dofiing rod; a wiper plate arranged to wipe an outwardly extending flange on a counter engaged between the plug and the side molds, and a finger disposed on the end of the dofling rod for gripping and then releasing the flange formed by the wiper plate.

4. A device for doffing stitchdown counters from the plug of a molding machine, which comprises a rod arranged to be swung across the face of the plug, a trigger disposed transversely in the outer end of the rod, a spring normally holding said trigger cocked, a clamping finger connected to said trigger, a spring urging said finger in one direction, and a stop arranged to be struck by said finger on the return stroke of said rod whereby said clamp is closed when the trigger strikes the face of the plugand opened when said finger strikes the stop.

5. In a counter molding machine, a plug,

1: means for rocking said plug outwardly at predetermined intervals, 2. dofiing rod, means for swinging said rod across said plug when it is rocked outwardly, a trigger actuated clamp on the end of the rod, and a stop arranged to be struck on the return stroke of said rod, whereby the clamp is closed when the trigger strikes the plug and opened when the stop is struck on the return stroke of the rod.

6. Feeding apparatus for an automatic counter molding machine which comprises a slotted table provided with ways, a second slotted table slidably carried in the ways of the first table, a rack disposed on said second table, a third table slidably carried by the second table, a shaft journalled in said third table, a gear on said shaft, independent cam actuated means for moving said second and third tables, and a feeder plate carried on said shaft, whereby relative movement of said second and third tables caused said shaft to turn and tilt said feeder plate.

'7. Feeding apparatus for a molding machine, which comprises a sliding carriage disposed in front of the machine, a feed plate mounted on said carriage, means for reciprocating said carriage to and from the machine, and separate means for tilting said feed plate, the two means being arranged to operate first separately and then together so that the feed plate is first tilted and then moved into the machine.

8. Feeding apparatus for a molding machine, which comprises a frame mounted on the front of the machine, a carriage slidably supported in the frame, a slotted table slidably arranged in said carriage, a rack secured to said carriage, a shaft carried in said table, a segmental gear secured to said shaft and in mesh with said rack, a feed plate secured to said shaft, a link connected to said carriage, a second link conected to said table, and means for operating said links, whereby relative movement of the links causes the shaft to turn and tilt the feed plate and coincident movement of the links causes horizontal movement of the cariage and the feed plate.

9. Feeding apparatus for a molding machine which comprises, a frame mounted in front of the machine, a cam provided with tracks on both sides thereof, a pair of rods arranged to be reciprocated by said cam, a pair of shafts journaled in said frame, links connecting said rods to said shafts, a sliding carriage disposed in said frame and linked to one of said shafts, a table slidably arranged in said carriage and linked to the other shaft, a rack and pinion connecting said carriage and table, a feed plate connected to said pinion and arranged to be tilted thereby, whereby rotation of said cam causes said carriage to reciprocate in asubstantially horizontal path and also causes said feed plate to be tilted from horizontal to vertical position as said carriage moves into the machine.

10. The apparatus defined in claim 9 wherein a pair of safety catches are disposed on the ends of said rods and form the connection between the links and the rods, whereby the links will not operate if the carriage or feed plate is jammed or obstructed.

11, In a counter molding machine, a plug, means for rocking the plug outwardly at predetermined intervals, a dofiing rod, means for swinging said rod back and forth across the plug when it is rocked outwardly, a clamping finger carried on the end of the rod, a trigger carried in said rod, and a stop arranged to be struck by said clamping finger on the return stroke of the rod, whereby on the first stroke of the rod the trigger strikes the plug to close the clamp and on the return stroke of the rod the finger strikes the stop to openrthe clamp and cock the trigger.

12. Device for dofiing stitchdown counters from the plug of a molding machine, which comprises a rod, means for swinging the rod back and forth across the face of the plug, a clamp on the end of the rod, means for closing the clamp when the rod swings by the plug, and means for opening the clamp on the return stroke of the rod, whereby the outwardly extending flange of a stitchdown counter is gripped by the clamp and later released.

13. A counter molding machine comprising a plug, side molds, mechanism for automatically operating said molds, treadle means for controlling the operation of said molds, and a locking pin which may be inserted in the machine either to complete the automatic mechanism and lock the treadle or to release the treadle and lock the automatic mechanism against operation.

14. A counter molding machine which comprises a plug, side molds, hydraulic mechanism for bringing the plug into preliminary engagement with the side molds, a mechanical train arranged to bring the plug into final engagement with the side molds, and cam actuated means for first operating the hydraulic mechanism and subsequently twice operating the mechanical train.

15. A counter molding machine which comprises a plug, side molds, hydraulic mechanism for bringing the plug into preliminary engagement with the side molds, a mechanical train for bringing the plug into final engagement with the side molds, and cam operated means for first causing operation of the hydraulic mechanism and subsequently twice causing operation of the mechanical train without relaxing the hydraulic mechanism.

16. A counter molding machine comprising a frame, a plug mounted in the frame, a pair of side molds carried by the frame, a hydraulic train for bringing the plug into preliminary engagement with the side molds, amechanicaltrain for bringing the molds into final engagement with the side molds, a feeder, a doffing mechanism, a

shaft journaled in the frame, acam secured to said-shaft and arranged to cause operation of said hydraulic train first and then to cause operation of said mechanical train, a second cam also secured to said shaft for operating said and molds, a tr'eadle for controlling semi-automatic operation of the plug and molds, and means for selectively locking either the automatic mech-'- anism or the treadle, whereby the automatic mechanism may not be operated when the treadle is, operable and vice versa.

i 18. Feeding apparatus for a molding machine, which comprises, afeed plate mounted in front of the machine, means for reciprocating the feed plate, means for tilting the feed plate, the said two means being arranged to operate first separately and then together so thatthe feed plate is first tilted and then advanced into the machine. I

l9. Feeding apparatus for a molding machine, which comprises, a carriage slidably mounted in front of the machine, a feed plate pivotally mounted on said carriage, mechanism for reciprocating the carriage, mechanism for tilting the feed plate, and cam controlled'means for first operating the tilting mechanism and subsequently operating the tilting mechanism simultaneously with the reciprocating mechanism.

20. A counter molding machine comprising a plug, side molds, hydraulically operated mechanism for bringing the plug and side molds into preliminary engagement, and mechanically actuated mechanism for twice imparting final molding pressure to the plug and side molds before the hydraulic pressure is released.

CHARLES W. BAILEY. 

